The Bears on Wednesday placed tight end Eric Saubert on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Saubert was signed by the Bears off the Raiders' practice squad last Nov. 30 and appeared in the final two games last season, both as a reserve, catching two passes for 21 yards.
Saubert, who grew up in the Chicago area and attended Hoffman Estates High School, was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 draft out of Drake. He appeared in 30 games with one start in two seasons with Atlanta, catching seven passes for 69 yards.
The 6-5, 253-pounder was traded to the Patriots last Aug. 12. After being waived during final cuts, he was signed to the Raiders practice squad.
The NFL's new reserve/COVID-19 list category was created for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person. If a player falls into either of these categories, his club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and that player is not counted on the active roster.
Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, teams are not permitted to comment on a player's medical status other than referring to roster status. That includes not disclosing whether players are in quarantine or have tested positive for COVID-19.
Saubert is the second Bears players to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining undrafted rookie running back Artavis Pierce.
Roberson clears waivers: In other news Wednesday, the Bears placed cornerback Tre Roberson on the reserve/non-football injury list after he cleared waivers. The former CFL star, who signed a two-year contract with the Bears Jan. 29, was waived Tuesday with an injury designation after breaking his foot during an offseason workout.
